The biggest-ever Indo-French naval exercise, 'Varuna 2004', got underway off the coast of Goa on Tuesday.

The exercise, a culmination of a series of Indo-French naval ventures initiated in 1998 began with the French fleet moving out of the Arabic-Persian Gulf to be met by the Indian fleet, a French embassy release said in Panaji.

Both navies will bring in six vessels each to participate in the exercises which will be placed alternately under Indian and French command, the release said. The vessels will combine or confront forces in a wide range of naval war-games up to April 15.

Anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare and air combat will be part of the exercises, the release said.